About the National Simulation Center (NSC)
The VHA SimLEARN National Simulation Center serves as the operational hub for coordination of all national VHA clinical simulation activities.
Rooms and Facilities
Operating Room
State-of-the-art OR utilizing high-fidelity simulation to address high-risk challenges medical professionals face in real OR situations. Equipped with a control/observation deck, scrub room, prep room, anesthetic room, high-fidelity manikins, simulated medical gases, room divider and modern OR technology.
Intensive Care Unit
Three fully equipped ICUs for use with high-fidelity manakins or standardized patients allowing three simulations to be conducted simultaneously through separate control stations. One ICU is equipped with unique features such as integrated patient lift system, bariatric ICU with toilet and shower to replicate safely transporting Veterans.
Emerging Healthcare Technology Integration Lab
Tests emerging technologies with simulation and learning to accelerate the effective use of emerging health technologies during care delivery. SimLEARN’s initial evaluation location for new technology such as 3D printers, VR/XR/AR platforms, medical software, holograms, robotic devices and more!
Innovation Room
A 1,254 sq ft open space, is a premier location to test or evaluate innovative technologies, ranging from VR/AR/XR to the latest medical equipment to enhance Veteran care. The space can be used in a variety of ways, including clinical space build-out within the room to test workflows, conducting high-tech training and much more!
Dental and Eye Rooms
Included in the center are specialty dental and eye room spaces to train VHA staff on standardized procedures. The dental room has two dedicated locations to test the latest technology and integrating 3D printing into dental procedures.
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)/Pre-Operation Room
This location uses manakins to replicate post-surgical simulations, frequently used with anesthesia curriculum such as SimLEARN’s Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology (MOCA) course. This room additionally doubles as a Pre-Op room to prepare learners for surgical simulations.
Outpatient Rooms
The center contains six outpatient rooms replicated after the Orlando VA Healthcare System’s space to provide learners real world settings to treat Veterans. One outpatient room is equipped with a negative air pressure system for training on how to control airborne contaminants within a room.
Task Trainer Room
Blended training area, with traditional classroom for 12 learners and a clinical side to conduct simulations. Outfitted with portable ultrasound devices and patient tables, the room provides a perfect opportunity for Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training utilizing manikins or standardized patients.
Trauma Room
Used to train medical teams to care for critical injuries threatening life or limbs through comprehensive emergency medical services. The room can conduct two distinct scenarios simultaneously to provide realistic intensive scenarios through expert moulage representation of real-life injuries.
Simulated Transport Spaces
To replicate each aspect of care found in a medical center, the National Simulation Center maintains numerous transport spaces and equipment to simulate safe patient handling & mobility best practices. The center includes a simulated ambulance with lights/sounds, simulated elevator, and transport systems.
General Care Room
Originally constructed as a mental health room with integrated restroom and shower. The space can be
used for mental health therapy, home healthcare training, employee wellness technology testing and
many other simulations.
General-Purpose Meeting Room (1A148)
A general-purpose meeting room with a capacity to hold 20, with the option to divide the space in half. Located centrally within the facility, this is a prime space as a central location for simulations that require various rooms types near all simulation rooms in the center.
Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)
National Simulation Center’s largest continuous space at 1,777 sq ft, the room can accommodate 60 people in a traditional front-facing table and chair layout. MPR contains integrated sound-reduction room dividers that can be used to split the space in half or quarters. The room can be utilized in a variety of ways ranging from traditional conference space to a running four simulations concurrently in each quadrant.
High/Low Chair Room
Serves as simulation planning locations or debriefing area, each space can hold up to eight
participants with integrated whiteboards. Close to both the Multi-purpose, Innovation and
Operating Rooms the space also serves as breakout spaces.
General Inquiries
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